Seasonal Songs and Christmas Cheer With Sammy Rat And The Resonators

Published on: 26 Nov, 2012
Updated on: 26 Nov, 2012

When not writing news stories and history articles for The Guildford Dragon News, David Rose’s other role is that of lead singer and guitarist in the band Sammy Rat and the Resonators.

David Rose of Sammy Rat and the Resonators. Picture by Roy Cano.

Playing a mixture of what they call roots-style music on acoustic instruments with strong vocal harmonies, they are known for their seasonal Winter Sessions concerts, which they perform at this time of year.

Their current ‘tour’ sees them at David’s local church, St Francis, in Beckingham Road, Guildford, on Saturday, December 8, at 7.30pm, where they will be joined by some of the church’s regulars for a Night of Seasonal Songs and Storytelling.

Tickets are available at £5, to include light refreshments during the interval, and David says: “We have been performing our Winter Sessions concerts for several years now.

“We include a number of well known Christmas and seasonal songs, the likes of which everyone knows – from Bing Crosby’s White Christmas to even Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody, yet we add in some lovely winterery songs that may not be so well known, such as acoustic-style tunes by artists including Ronnie Lane (who was a member of the Small Faces) and an up and coming band from the USA, the Fleet Foxes.

“You’ll also hear California Dreaming (Mamms and Papas), Hazy Shade of Winter (Simon and Garfunkel) and a great Christmas song by the English singer-songwriter Thea Gilmour, called That’ll Be Christmas.”

Sammy Rat and the Resonators playing at the Alton Beer Festival in 2011.

Joining the five-piece Sammy Rat and co, will be other musicians and singers from St Francis’ Church, including Jyl Wheeler, who also sings with the Chantry Singers; her brother Brian (who is the churchwarden); and guitarist David Bennett, who will also be playing the melodica.

With lots of big vocal harmonies, the ensemble will also be performing a number of carols including In The Bleak Midwinter and Silent Night.

The evening will also feature readings of Christmas and wintery stories and poems.

David adds: “We are a friendly lot at St Francis and love to put on these kinds of shows to one and all that raise funds for the church. We did a very successful concert of wartime songs and stories a couple of years ago and we had a cracking folk music night in May with the same set up of musicians and singers. Also, the church’s acoustics are great for live music, and it will be candle-lit for the concert.

Seats can be reserved by calling David on 01483 838960 or email drosedragon@gmail.com